Matt Boehnke

OLYMPIA — Sen. Matt Boehnke and Sen. Nikki Torres have introduced a comprehensive package of legislation to close dangerous gaps in Washington’s handling of less restrictive alternative (LRA) placements for sexually violent predators, prioritizing the safety of families, neighborhoods, and children across the state. “These are not abstract policy debates;...

The 2026 legislative session is well underway, and work is moving quickly in Olympia. As key decisions begin to take shape, I want to keep you informed about what’s happening at the Capitol, what I’m working on, and how the priorities of the 8th Legislative District are guiding my work....

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature As many of you know, the 43-day federal government shutdown has ended. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that the spending package signed on November 12, 2025, will fund the government and restore key programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Courtesy of the Washington State Senate Last month marked a historic milestone for Hanford — and a turning point for the Tri-Cities region that has stood at the center of America’s nuclear legacy for generations. After decades of research, construction, and collaboration, the Hanford Site has officially...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Senator Matt Boehnke today issued a strong warning about the Pacific Northwest’s energy future, citing a new analysis that projects potential power shortfalls in the region during extreme conditions. The analysis, conducted by Energy + Environmental Economics for the region’s largest utilities,...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Although employment in Washington’s manufacturing sector is already forecast to increase over the next several years, Sen. Matt Boehnke thinks big growth is possible if lawmakers and government regulators would understand and focus on the needs of manufacturers. “Manufacturing is how Washington...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Senate An August article in The Seattle Times about July’s federal energy spending reforms either downplayed or completely ignored state-government policies that are already increasing energy costs in Washington. Despite numerous references to climate and clean energy, it remained silent about the state’s 2021...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Courtesy of the Washington State Senate As summer winds down, I’m proud to share the latest from my work as Washington’s representative in the Western Energy Caucus (WEC)—a bipartisan regional coalition addressing critical energy challenges across the West. This June, I was honored to be selected for...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Courtesy of the Washington State Senate I’m honored to participate in the Northwest Renewable Hydrogen Conference this September, joining fellow policymakers as a featured speaker in the “Leading from the Legislature: Hydrogen Policy Champions” session. The Renewable Hydrogen Alliance is a respected coalition advocating for renewable hydrogen,...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Courtesy of the Washington State Senate As part of my ongoing efforts in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, I’ve been actively supporting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are a critical tool for both environmental stewardship and economic growth across Washington. Earlier this year, I co-sponsored...